Hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system

ABSTRACT

A hand-sanitizer dispenser kit includes an outer box or container; a bag having a concealable or retractable spout for dispensing the material stored within the bag; and a plurality of spray bottles. Wherein the bag is located within the box and the box has an opening configured to allow the spout of the bag to be placed inside of the box when the spout is in a retracted position or outside of the box when the spout is in a non-retracted position; and wherein the spout must be rotated before the material inside of it can be dispensed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent times, where the spread of viruses and bacteria have ultimately resulted in epidemics and pandemics, measures to stop the spread of these agents has become essential. One effective way to prevent and stop the spread of these agents is to adopt effective hygienic practices that are implemented regularly. A popular mechanism that has proven helpful in preventing the spread of these agents has been the use of hand sanitizing products.

Most of these hand sanitizing products come in small packages with equally small quantities of hand sanitizing agent. Accordingly, these products tend to run out fast. One way to overcome this problem has been the use of larger hand sanitizing packages. However, these larger packages are uncomfortable to use due to their bulk. The dispensing mechanism used in these larger packages may provide an easier way to use these packages.

One common practice that has been used to dispense large amounts of liquid like substances has been the use of plastic bags enclosed in a rigid outer container. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,051 to Edwards et al. shows a corrugated box containing a flexible plastic inner container with a pull-up spout for filling and dispersing the liquid contents. The inside flaps of the top of the container have cutout portions to allow the spout to be pulled up while one of the overlying outer flaps has a corresponding hole for the spout. The hole is covered by a removable press-in dust cap when the spout is not withdrawn. In one version of the invention the inner flaps have deflectable portions that serve to maintain the spout in upright position when withdrawn. However, when the spout is collapsed within the box for storage or shipping there is no means for maintaining it in registry with the cutout portions on the flaps.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,018, to Rutter, is primarily directed to a valve with means to pierce an otherwise imperforate bag at the time of use. The patent shows a liquid filled bag within a corrugated paperboard container having a keyhole-shaped portion that can be opened for access to the valve.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,587, to Cox, Jr., shows a liquid container having a plastic bag within a container board box. The bag has a capped pouring tube affixed by a wire tie to a tab on cut on one of the inner upper flaps of the container. When the overlying outer flap is opened the tab with its affixed tube is exposed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,623, to Muise et al., discloses a bag-in-a-box shipping container in which the neck of the spout is retained in a fixed position at a desired location at the top of the container by a saddle shaped insert having wing-like side members. The retainer ensures that the spout will be immediately accessible when desired, even though the container may have had severe handling stresses causing considerable bag movement.

U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0038386, to Pritchard, describes flexible packages for holding and selectively dispensing flowable materials therefrom. Each package is formed of a flexible material and includes an extendable fitment mounted in a wall portion of the package. The extendable fitment includes a movable mounting member, e.g., a slidable member, and a spout or tap mounted thereon. The spout/tap is arranged to be moved from a retracted position wherein at least a portion of it is located within the package to an extended position wherein at least a portion of it is located outside of the package. The spout/tap is arranged to selectively dispense the flowable material from the package it is in its extended position.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,597,212, to Evans, discloses a fluid-dispensing bag holder that includes a first housing member and a second housing member. The first housing member has a first edge with a first concavity, the second housing member has a second edge with a second concavity, and the first housing member and the second housing member are configured to be positioned in an open position and a closed position. The closed position includes the first housing member mated with the second housing member to define an internal space between the first housing member and the second housing member, and such that the first edge mates with the second edge and the first concavity aligns with the second concavity to define a spout opening through the first housing member and the second housing member into the internal space.

The foregoing containers for dispensing large amounts of liquid like substances (such as hand sanitizer), however, do not include or provide an efficient way for allowing a user of these containers to transport the liquid like substances within the containers, which are usually large in size, without having to move the container itself. Therefore, a need exists for a hand sanitizer dispenser kit system that allows the user to transport the hand sanitizing agent without having to move the large container that houses the hand sanitizing agent.

The disclosed invention overcomes these shortcomings by providing a hand sanitizer dispenser kit system that comprises a bag-within-a-box container with ancillary portable bottles for transporting the hand sanitizing agent without having to move the large container that houses the hand sanitizing agent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 throughout the world has resulted in intolerable amounts of deaths and, as a result, global fear and economic distress. The lack of vaccines and effective treatments make sanitation methods the only method for prevention of the COVID19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), prevention means include regularly washing hands with soap and water or cleaning them with alcohol-based products and avoiding touching of the face. Water and soap are difficult to transport. See, https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_2. Also, because water and soap leave the hands wet, drying means are necessary for its use. These inconveniences reduce the likelihood that people will clean their hands as often as possible.

On the other hand, alcohol-based products are simpler to use because they are transported more comfortably and compactly, and alcohol evaporates naturally from hands, particularly, if atomized. However, purchasing small pocket size bottles of alcohol-based products is expensive and inefficient. Therefore, there is a need for an alcohol-based product dispensing system that combines the benefits of storage of large amounts of product to avoid exposing once's self to SARS-CoV-2, and the benefits of comfortable and compact transportation of the product that will incentivize its use often to prevent transmission.

The disclosed invention relates to a hand-sanitizer dispenser kit that comprises: an outer box or container; a plastic bag having a concealable or retractable spout for dispensing the material stored within the bag; and a plurality of spray bottles. Wherein the plastic bag is located within the box and the box has an opening configured to allow the spout of the plastic bag to be placed inside of the box when the spout is in a retracted position or outside of the box when the spout is in a non-retracted position; and wherein the spout must be rotated before the material inside of it can be dispensed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the box component of the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system with the spout inside of the box.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the box component of the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system with the spout outside of the box.

FIG. 3 shows a plurality of hand-sanitizer spray bottles inside of a plastic bag.

FIG. 4 shows a plurality of hand-sanitizer spray bottles.

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of hand-sanitizer squeeze bottles.

FIGS. 6A-6D show the process of placing the spout outside of the box.

FIG. 7 shows the bag component of the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system within the box.

FIG. 8 shows the plurality of bottles inside of the plastic bag stored within the box.

FIG. 9 shows printed instructions on at least one of the sidewalls or end portions of the box.

FIG. 10 shows a small box to store the plurality of hand-sanitizer spray bottles that is stored within the box component of the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system.

FIG. 11 shows printed instructions on the side walls of the small box within the box component of the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed descriptions related to well-known functions or configurations will be ruled out in order not to unnecessarily obscure subject matters of the present invention.

In the Summary above, in the Description and appended Claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

As shown in FIGS. 1-9 the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system 1 comprises a box or container 2 having sidewalls 3 and upper 4 a and lower 4 b end portions. The end portions 4 a, 4 b may be opened or closed to provide access to the interior of the box or container. In some embodiments, the box or container 2 may be assembled by folding the interconnected sidewalls and end portions into place, as shown in FIG. 9. Additionally, the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system 1 comprises a bag 5 filled with a hand sanitizing liquid HS stored within the bag 5. The bag 5 is stored or located within the interior of the box or container 2. It should be noted that the bag 5 can be manufactured from plastic, aluminum or any other water-resistant material. In a preferred embodiment, the hand sanitizing liquid HS comprises an 80% antiseptic alcohol solution. In other embodiments, however, the percentage of the alcohol solution may be higher or lower than 80%.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system 1 further comprises one or more portable bottles 6 a-6 d that allow users to easily transport the hand sanitizer liquid HS with them. In this manner, a user of the sanitizer dispenser kit system 1 can have access to the hand sanitizer liquid HS without having to move or carry the box or container 2 with him/her. In a preferred embodiment, one of the bottles 6 a is bigger than the rest 6 b-6 d. In the aforementioned embodiment, bottle 6 a is able to store 150 mL of hand sanitizer liquid HS while the remaining bottles 6 b-6 d are able to store 60 mL of hand sanitizer liquid HS. The one or more portable bottles 6 a-6 d, however, can also be manufactured in any other size and are not limited to retain the aforementioned hand sanitizer liquid HS amounts. Lastly, it should be noted that the or more portable bottles 6 a-6 d, can be manufactured from any water-resistant or malleable material, such as plastic, or any other similar material.

As shown in FIG. 3, the one or more portable bottles 6 a-6 d may be stored in a plastic bag PB which may also be stored within the interior of the box or container 2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the one or more portable bottles 6 a-6 d may also be stored within the box or container 2 without a plastic bag PB. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the one or more portable bottles 6 a-6 d may also be stored within a smaller box SB that in turn can be stored within the interior of the box or container 2. The small box SB may also include printed instructions of how to use or open the one or more portable bottles 6 a-6 d on at least one of the side walls of the small box SB, as shown in FIG. 11. The one or more portable bottles 6 a-6 d have a cap 7 with a spray mechanism 8. In other embodiments, however, the portable bottles 6 a-6 d do not have a spray mechanism on their caps; and instead, the hand sanitizer liquid HS is released by squeezing of the bottle (i.e., squeeze bottle) as shown un FIG. 5.

It should also be noted that the bag 5 includes a spout 9 for dispensing the hand sanitizing liquid HS stored within the bag 5 and that at least one of the sidewalls 3 of the box or container 2 includes a spout opening 10 for access to the spout 9, as shown in FIGS. 6-8. The spout 9 is attached or connected to the bag 5 and communicates with the interior of the bag 5. The spout opening 10 allows the spout 9 to be configured to be placed inside of the box or container 2 when not in use and outside of the box or container 2 when in use. The spout opening 10 further includes at least one foldable flap 11 for closing or opening the spout opening 10. In one embodiment at least one of the edges of the foldable flap 11 has a semicircular configuration SC, but other shapes may also be used.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, the spout 9 includes first F1 and second F2 retaining flanges configured to be fitted with one edge of the spout opening 10 and with the semicircular edge SC of the at least one foldable flap 11 when the spout 9 is placed outside of the box or container 2 for dispensing of the hand sanitizer liquid HS. Accordingly, in order to dispense the hand sanitizer liquid HS, a user would have to 1) pull the flap 11 to gain access to the spout 9; 2) proceed to pull the spout and fit a bottom area of the first F1 and second F2 retaining flanges with the bottom edge of the spout opening 10; 3) fit the semicircular edge SC of the at least one foldable flap 11 with an upper area of the first F1 and second F2 retaining flanges; 4) rotate the spout counterclockwise; and 5) proceed to dispense the hand sanitizer liquid HS by pressing the corresponding dispensing button DB on the spout 9. The aforementioned process for placing or fitting the spout 9 on the spout opening 10 of the box or container 2 is shown in FIGS. 6A-6D. Lastly, as shown in FIG. 9, the box or container 2 may include printed instructions on at least one of the sidewalls 3 or end portions 4 a, 4 b, describing the process for placing or fitting the spout 9 on the spout opening 10 of the box or container 2. Thus, the printed instructions and the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system 1 are in a functional relationship because the instructions of the product allow a user to enable and use the same. As such, the printed instructions perform some function with respect to the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system 1.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, the spout 9 of the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system 1 can be configured to be on a lock mode or on a dispensing mode. Particularly, the rotation of the spout 9 clockwise, as shown in FIG. 6C, enables the dispensing mode; whereas rotation of spout 9 counterclockwise enables the lock mode. The spout 9 has a hole or opening (not shown) configured to receive the hand sanitizer liquid HS stored within the interior of the bag 5. When the spout is rotated clockwise, the hole of the spout faces the interior of the bag 5, and thus, permits the liquid to be dispensed through the spout 9. Conversely, when the spout 9 is rotated counterclockwise, the hole of the spout no longer faces the interior of the bag; and as such, the flow of the hand sanitizer liquid HS is blocked or prevented from being dispensed through the spout 9.

FIG. 9 is another exemplary embodiment, which includes printed matter that provides instructions to the user, including stickers that can be added to the bottles for identification for distinctive purposes.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and methods have been described in some detail, for clarity of understanding and by way of example, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure to those skilled in the art that variations, modifications, changes, and adaptations of such embodiments and methods may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the claims. Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims

The invention is not limited to the precise configuration described above. While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by this invention as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents. In the claims, means plus function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

All of the patents, patent applications, and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All, or substantially all, the components disclosed in such patents may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof. The details in the patents, patent applications, and publications incorporated by reference herein may be considered to be incorporable at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patently distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system, comprising: a box or container having sidewalls and upper and lower end portions; a bag filled with a hand sanitizing liquid stored within the bag; one or more portable bottles; wherein the bag includes a spout for dispensing the hand sanitizing liquid stored within the bag; wherein the spout is configured to be placed inside of the box or container when the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system is not in use and outside of the box or container when the hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system is in use; wherein the bag is located within the interior of the box or container; wherein at least one of the sidewalls of the box or container includes a spout opening for access to the spout; wherein the spout opening has at least one foldable flap for closing or opening the spout opening; wherein the spout includes first and second retaining flanges configured to be fitted with an edge of the spout opening and with an edge of the at least one foldable flap when the spout is placed outside of the box or container; wherein the spout has a lock mode and a dispensing mode; and wherein rotation of the spout clockwise enables the dispensing mode and rotation of spout counterclockwise enables the lock mode.
 2. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 1, wherein the one or more portable bottles have a cap.
 3. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 2, wherein the cap includes a spray mechanism.
 4. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 1, wherein the hand sanitizing liquid comprises an 80% antiseptic alcohol solution.
 5. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the end portions is configured to be opened or closed to provide access to the interior of the box or container.
 6. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 1, wherein the one or more portable bottles are stored within a plastic bag.
 7. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 6, wherein the plastic bag is stored within the interior of the box or container.
 8. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 1, wherein the bag is a plastic bag.
 9. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 1, wherein the bag is an aluminum bag.
 10. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 1, wherein one of the edges of the at least one foldable flap has a semicircular configuration.
 11. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 1, wherein the box or container is assembled by folding the sidewalls and end portions into place.
 12. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 10, wherein the first and second retaining flanges are configured to be fitted with the semicircular edge of the at least one foldable flap when the spout is placed outside of the box or container.
 13. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 1, further comprising instructions printed on at least one of the sidewalls of the box or container, requiring a user to: a. pull the flap to gain access to the spout; b. pull the spout and fit a bottom area of the first and second retaining flanges with a bottom edge of the spout opening; c. fit an edge of the at least one foldable flap with an upper area of the first and second retaining flanges; d. rotate the spout counterclockwise; and e. dispense the hand sanitizer liquid by pressing a dispensing button on the spout.
 14. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 1, wherein the one or more portable bottles are stored within a box smaller that the box or container.
 15. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 14, wherein the smaller box is stored within the interior of the box or container.
 16. The hand-sanitizer dispenser kit system of claim 14, further comprising instructions printed on at least one sidewall of the smaller box of how to open the one or more portable bottles. 